Here is a story about a former Raleigh police officer who was well-known and respected in the neighborhood where he worked and even made a movie about it.

It’s the same southeast Raleigh neighborhood where a young black man was shot and killed by a white police officer last week.

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Leoneda Inge reports on a former Raleigh police officer who used to patrol the neighborhood where a white officer recently shot and killed a young black man.

That's where Ashante Watson stood in front of a memorial full of candles and red and black balloons remembering 24-year-old Akiel Denkins. He was the black man who was shot and killed by police officer D.C. Twiddy, who is white.

“He didn’t even do anything. He felt endangered, so he decided to run, so in memory of him we did this," said Watson. "I put, 'Shante will always love you,' with a heart.”

Several investigations are underway, but the latest information from city officials says Denkins and Twiddy struggled before shots were fired. Early reports also say it appears Denkins had a weapon, which was found near his body.

With tensions high, including a lot of police-bashing, I asked Watson if there were better times in her Bragg Street neighborhood and if there were any police officers she liked. She said yes.

"We had one neighborhood police, a while ago, Officer Wagner. He was a very good friend and then he retired," said Watson. "So ever since then, the neighborhood really hasn’t been the same since he left. It was a lot safer when he was here.”

“I miss the relationships I had the opportunity to build while I was there. I miss being a police officer every single day," said Robert Wagner.

“And when I got removed from the area, I felt, I felt like I wasn’t able to do what I was called to do, and that was to show compassion, show love and try to make a difference," said Wagner.

Wagner, who is White, is 31-years-old and patrolling the Bragg Street neighborhood was his first assignment. He patrolled the area for seven years. And he knew everybody, including Akiel Denkins, who was recently shot and killed.

“Matter of fact, I remember the time when I actually had to arrest him for outstanding warrant," said Wagner. "I believe the warrant was for failure to appear on a misdemeanor possession marijuana charge.”

Wagner says he could tell, Denkins didn’t like the situation he was in.

“I remember telling him, Akiel you’ve got every opportunity in your life right now, you have no felonies. You got this one drug charge that’s an easy thing I can put you through a program and get this thing dismissed, we can work through this," said Wagner.

Fast forward a few years. When Officer Twiddy was trying to arrest Denkins, he was wanted on a felony drug charge.

Wagner says he still doesn’t know the exact reason why he was reassigned from the mostly African American Bragg Street neighborhood. He knows some residents complained, saying he was no “Great White Hope.”

Wagner left the department altogether when his request to take a leave of absence to produce a film, was denied. The name of the short movie is “Bragg N East,” about the Raleigh neighborhood where he worked. It premiered in 2014.

“As a public servant, it’s my responsibility to step up and get involved," Wagner says in the film.

Remember Ashante Watson who first told me about Wagner. Well he definitely remembers her. Several years ago, he was Watson’s escort at a father-daughter dance at Passage Home, an organization that serves struggling families and neighborhoods. The girl would sit in a chair while her escort said positive things about her.

“Everyone crowds around, I had to get up on one knee in front of her and speak some positive words into their life. For a while I would drive down the street and I would say, how is it going daughter, and she would say, hey dad. It was fun," said Wagner.

Wagner says what he wants most of all is a peaceful neighborhood for all the Ashante’s out there. And he also wants a better path for all the Akiel’s.

The Wake County District Attorney says the preliminary autopsy report for Akiel Denkins shows that he was shot four times; once in the chest, once in each arm, and once in the right shoulder.

Denkins, who is black, was shot and killed by Raleigh Police Officer D.C. Twiddy, who is white, on Monday. Police say Twiddy pursued Denkins on foot, they struggled, and Denkins drew a gun before Twiddy fired his own weapon.

The reports conflict with initial statements from eyewitnesses, which claimed that police shot Denkins several times in the back as he was running away.

Residents of southeast Raleigh are raising questions about the circumstances around a Raleigh officer fatally shooting 24-year-old Akiel Denkins.

Eyewitnesses say the white officer shot Denkins as he fled on foot. Police say the officer was trying to serve a warrant related to drug charges, and found a firearm near Denkins' body. Community members gathered last night for a march and vigil.

Host Frank Stasio talks with WUNC reporter Jorge Valencia about the shooting and community response.